Wal-Mart to open store in West Covina's Eastland Center

Wendy Lee

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it will open a new store in West Covina’s Eastland Center later this fall.

The 120,000-square-foot store is in a former Mervyn’s location, left vacant since 2008, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Rachel Wall. The store will hire about 150 workers, from cashiers to supervisors and is expected to bring in $500,000 in sales tax revenue each year.

"It will replace the jobs we lost when Mervyn's went out of business," said West Covina's Mayor Mike Touhey.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported that some residents opposed the new Walmart, but Wall said most of residents have welcomed the retail giant.

“The more that people learn the facts about the company, the more they see the value in bringing a store to their community when there’s opportunities for economic development, jobs and improved access to fresh food,” Wall said.

The West Covina store is located at 2735 E. Eastland Center Dr., inside the Eastland Center.

Walmart has also faced opposition in Downtown Los Angeles’ Chinatown, where some residents worry that it will take away sales from Chinatown’s small businesses.